A new aid ship named Julia, is expected to sail to the Gaza Strip from Lebanon, but Minister of Transportation and Public Works Ghazi Aridi has denied it permission because it has not presented a request to the ministry to sail, reported the daily An Nahar Sunday. The ship had docked in the northern city of Tripoli's port two months ago as it was carrying a shipment of glass for a local trader, however, most of the cargo was broken and the merchant refused to accept it, and a legal battle ensued resulting with those responsible for the ship being fined.

The owners never paid the $110,00 fine, and it was later revealed that the sides behind the aid ship Mariam actually paid it. Aridi said: "So far, we have not received an official request specifying the ship's destination."

He stressed that the law states that a ship must specify its destination, number of crew, and cargo in order to be granted permission to sail. Yhe minister added: "The ports and airport are the state's responsibility, and we will not subject the Lebanese to any moral or physical harm."